Horana Tragedy: Final rites of four victims performed

COLOMBO (News 1^st) - The funerals of four of the five men who died of ammonia gas poisoning at a rubber factory in Horana, took place today (April 21). On Thursday (April 19) one person fell into a tank containing ammonia gas, another employee and three villagers who rushed to his rescue also died from ammonia gas poisoning. The post-mortem was performed at the Panadura Base Hospital and thereafter the bodies were handed over to the relatives. The first to fall victim to this industrial accident was a 45-year-old father of one, Hewakankanamge Ariyapala from Uggalbada in Kalutara. 23-year-old Varuna Chandrasekera from Bellapitiya was an employee at the same factory and rushed to the rescue of Ariyapala, risking his own life. His funeral took place today. Two of the three villagers who risked their lives during this tragedy were 42-year-old Priyantha Kumara and 41-year-old Lal Pushpakumara. The final rights of the other victim, 34-year-old Dilip Kasun Lokupathiranage from Ballapitiya is to be performed tomorrow (April 22). 19 people who fell unconscious during the incident continue to be treated at the Horana Base Hospital. Hospital Superintendent Thamara Kalubowila said two of them are being treated at the ICU and one of them is in serious condition. https://www.facebook.com/NewsfirstSL/videos/1920440321349550/